Daughter of aristocratic family

Chapter 477 The Good Concubine
After the Lantern Festival, life returns to its former tranquility and regularity.

The street lanterns were put away, replaced by the familiar bustle and noise.

Suddenly good news came from the palace that Concubine Liu was pregnant again.

The emperor's face was filled with joy that was hard to conceal. The fact that his concubine was pregnant proved that he was not old yet and he did not need to rush to appoint a crown prince.

Concubine Liu's palace was even more lively.

The palace servants were busy making careful preparations for the soon-to-be-born prince or princess.

The emperor promoted Concubine Liu to the rank of Concubine Xian, and her status in the harem was apparently second only to the empress and Concubine Jing. However, compared with the imprisoned empress and the childless Concubine Jing, her position was undoubtedly more stable.

Among those who learned the news, Prince Shuzuo had the most complicated feelings. The emperor's good health meant that for him, his path to becoming the crown prince would be even longer and full of uncertainties.

Prince Zuo asked Mr. Zeng for a countermeasure, "Mr. Zeng, Concubine Liu is pregnant again. I'm afraid that the emperor will be more determined and will not easily appoint a crown prince."

Mr. Zeng stroked his beard and said slowly, "Your Highness, don't worry too much. Although Concubine Liu is pregnant, things are unpredictable. Who can guarantee that she will give birth to a prince smoothly? Moreover, even if she gives birth to a prince, it is not certain that he will grow up."

Upon hearing this, Prince Zuo's anxiety did not ease much, and he humbly asked, "Mr. Zeng, in your opinion, how should I deal with this situation?"

Mr. Zeng smiled slightly, "Your Highness, in this court, the struggle for power has never been based on luck or fate, but on strategy and planning. The first thing you have to do is to congratulate His Majesty as a son to show your loyalty."

Prince Zuo frowned, "I am worried that this congratulation will make my father more afraid of me."

Mr. Zeng shook his head. "Your Majesty, you are wrong. Your Majesty is old, and Concubine Liu is pregnant again. This is a happy event for both Your Majesty and the entire royal family. As a prince, you should be the first to express your joy and congratulations. This not only shows your filial piety, but also shows your love for your younger siblings as an elder brother. At the same time, this move can also let His Majesty see that you, Your Majesty, have no intention of coveting the throne, thus reducing his defense against you."

Prince Zuo pondered for a moment and nodded, "Mr. Zeng is right. I understand."

Mr. Zeng continued, "Since Your Majesty is getting stronger with age, Your Majesty should retreat to advance, keep a low profile, and use this opportunity to secretly strengthen your ties with important officials in the court, consolidate your power, and wait for the right time."

After hearing this, Prince Zuo's eyes sparkled, and he bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. I will definitely keep it in mind."

Mr. Zeng replied, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. It is my long-cherished wish to help His Majesty ascend to the throne."

Prince Zuo followed Mr. Zeng's advice and went to the palace to express his congratulations to the emperor. "Your Majesty is a strong and vigorous man. It is a great joy for the royal family that Concubine Liu has given birth to another heir. I am filled with joy and have come to congratulate you, Your Majesty."

The emperor stared at him for a long time without saying a word, as if trying to determine whether what he said was from the heart.

After a while, the emperor smiled and said, "Yier, I am very pleased that you think this way."

After the show of loving father and filial son, Prince Zuo left the imperial study, but he did not leave the palace. Instead, he went to the bedroom of his biological mother, Concubine Rou.

As he expected, Concubine Jing was already waiting for him in Concubine Rou's palace.

Prince Zuo bowed respectfully and said, "This son greets the two mothers."

He deliberately mentioned Concubine Jing and his biological mother together, and his intention was quite obvious. Concubine Jing was moved by this small detail and gave up the Eleventh Prince who was easier to control and supported Prince Zuo.

Concubine Jing came to Concubine Rou's palace to see Prince Zuo because of the news that Concubine Liu was pregnant again.

"Yier, there's no need to be so polite." Imperial Concubine Jing motioned Prince Zuo to stand up. A shrewd look flashed in her eyes. "Yier, what do you think of Concubine Liu's pregnancy again?" Prince Zuo lowered his head slightly and said in a steady voice, "I think that Concubine Liu's pregnancy again is not something worth being happy about for us."

Imperial Concubine Jing nodded slightly, obviously agreeing with Prince Zuo's statement, "She is pregnant again, and her status has been improved. Yi'er, you should know that a son's status depends on his mother's."

Prince Zuo's heart trembled, and Concubine Rou's eyes darkened.

"Your son understands. You will find a way to solve this problem." Prince Zuo said in a deep voice.

Imperial Concubine Jing smiled slightly, and her smile was full of meaning. "Yier, you are the best candidate for the crown prince in my heart. I am also a little worried about Concubine Liu's pregnancy. After all, this is related to the future competition for the crown prince."

"Don't worry, mother. I will handle this matter carefully and will not let it affect the overall situation." Prince Zuo said confidently.

Before Concubine Liu gave birth to her child, there had already been waves of unrest inside and outside the palace, in the court and in the country. The new year was destined to be turbulent.

That day, Zhao Wangshu, who had gotten up late, was sitting in front of the dressing table putting on her makeup when Cheng Xiang came in with a gold-decorated invitation card. "Madam, this was just delivered by someone from the Liu family."

"Liu family?" Zhao Wangshu took the invitation and flipped it open. The Liu family was holding a flower viewing banquet during the Flower Festival and invited the noble ladies and girls in the capital to attend. "The fire is boiling, the flowers are blooming, the Liu family is now in the limelight."

"Young Madam, are you going to attend this flower-viewing banquet?" Cheng Xiang asked.

"Go, of course you have to go. But you can't do anything to offend the upstarts." Zhao Wangshu said jokingly.

He wrote a reply and had it delivered to the Liu family.

In the evening, Yun Hao came back and Zhao Wangshu told him about this matter, "The Liu family is so high-profile, aren't they afraid of causing trouble?"

Yun Hao put down the teacup in his hand and said calmly: "The Liu family is now in the limelight, so it is expected that the water will overflow and the moon will wane."

"It's hard to keep a normal mind after being poor for a long time and then suddenly becoming rich." Zhao Wangshu understood the Liu family, but understanding did not mean that she would like this arrogant style.

"You're right." Yun Hao stroked her hair gently, his eyes full of pampering, "If you don't want to go, don't go."

"It's not that I don't want to go. I want to go to the theater." Zhao Wangshu said with a smile.

At this moment, she would not know that the drama "sung" by the Liu family had affected her.

On the first day of February, Hong Chang, who had just finished her confinement, brought her daughter Wan Shun into the palace to express her gratitude.

"You silly girl, it's still cold in spring, why did you bring out the moon baby?" Zhao Wangshu scolded angrily.

"Thank you for your concern, Madam. I am in good health and Wanshun is also well taken care of. It won't be a problem." Hongshang said with a smile.

Zhao Wangshu walked forward and took Wanshun from Hongshang. The baby lay quietly in her arms, with a pink and tender little face, which made people love it at first sight.

"What a beautiful child." Zhao Wangshu looked up at Hongshang, "Hongshang, you have raised a good daughter."

"Thank you for the compliment, Madam." Hong Chang's face was filled with a happy smile.